swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswä-dᵊl 

swaddled; swaddling

ˈswäd-liŋ, 

ˈswä-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes

b

: envelop, swathe

legs swaddled in bandages

2

: restrain, restrict

… marriage … swaddled him in a domesticity he came to loathe …

—Nina Auerbach

Examples of swaddle in a Sentence

He swaddled the baby in a blanket.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then came the rise of luxury polar-class vessels like the Viking's Polaris and Octantis expedition ships, which can simultaneously navigate thick ice sheets while swaddling its passengers with the comforts and amenities of a five-star resort. —Jillian Dara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026

The veteran sideline reporter and member of FOX Sports’ A-Team braved the freezing temperature in Philly by swaddling herself in a capacious coat, which drew comparisons to a diverse array of notorious icons of warmth including Cruella De Ville, Jon Snow, emus, mob wives, pimps, and Ric Flair. —Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026

Posing in a photoshoot on Instagram to promote her new Kylie Cosmetics fragrance Cosmic Intense, Jenner was literally swaddled up in her cocoon-style dress, which appeared to be completely arm-less and feature nothing more than a stretch column of fabric. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026

After breaking them in, my wide, flat feet remained pain-free and felt swaddled in comfort the entire time. —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swadelen, swathelen, probably alteration of swedelen, swethelen, from swethel swaddling band, from Old English; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for swaddle

• caudal
• caudle
• dawdle
• model
• twaddle
• waddle
• remodel

Kids Definition

swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswäd-ᵊl 

swaddled; swaddling ˈswäd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to wrap an infant with swaddling clothes